Envelop-fastener.



J S. APPLEGATE.

BNVELOP FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 22. 1908.

921,939, Patented May 18, 1909.

W lTN ESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY s: nonms PETERS cm, wAsI-lmawn, o. c.

sirarns earner JOHN S. APPLEGATE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ENVELOP-FASTENER.

No. e21,eee.

Application filed January 22, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN S. APPLEGATE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Envelop-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in envelop fasteners, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple, cheap and effective device by which the sealing flap of an envelop may be securely loclred against being opened Without easy detection showing that the envelop has been tampered with. The idea being to so seal envelops containing important letters and documents as to prevent them from being opened except by destroying a portion of the envelop.

With these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by letter to the accom anying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a back view of an envelop, the sealing flap being partially open. Fig. 2, a section of the device showing the looking but ton or stud before it has been forced between the locking tongues ofthe disk. Fig. 3, a similar view showing the stud in its locked posi tion. Fig. 4C, a plan view of the locking disk. Fig. 5, a similar view showing a slight modification in which the prongs are cut from the interior of the disk, thus saving metal from the blank. Fig. 6, is a plan view of the looking button or stud.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied, A represents the disk, which is out from thin material, preferably sheet metal, the central portion thereof being so cut away as to produce the spring tongues B, the inner edges of which are turned downward at right angles, as indicated at I).

0 represents the button or stud, the base flange c of which is provided with the prongs Specification of Letters Patent.

D, by which it is secured to the sealing flap Patented May 18, 1909.

Serial No. 412,042.

of the envelop, so as to prevent its accidental displacement before the envelop is sealed. This stud is provided with the head E, having the right angle flange 6 around the outer edge of said head, adapted to engage with the flanges Z) of the locking tongues, so that when this head has been forced between the locking tongues and engages with said flanges it will be impossible to separate the button from the disk.

The disk is provided with the prongs F, by which it is attached to the inner surface of the back of the envelop so as to hold its central opening in-alinement with the head of the button, and to facilitate the engagement of this head with the locking tongues, I form an annular rib G around the central opening in the disk so as to hold the spring tongues out of contact with the front of the envelop or the letter contained therein, permitting them to spring sufliciently to admit the head of the button.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the prongs F, as formed upon the outer edge of the dislf, whereas in the modification shown in Fig. l have shown these prongs as cut from the metal upon the inside of the disk.

By my resent improvement I produce an exceeding y simple, cheap and effective fastener for envelops and the like which may be readily attached thereto, adding but little to their weight, and as the head of the locking stud passes through a hole formed in the sealing flap of the envelop, said hole being of less diameter than the base flange c, it will be seen that when the envelop is sealed it cannot be opened without tearing away a portion of the sealing fla or a portion of the back of the envelop, t us at once indicating that the letter has been tampered with.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction here shown, as these may be varied within certain limits without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, is

In an envelop fastener, a stud composed of a base flange, a head spaced therefrom and a flange on the head extending toward the base, in combination with a centrally apertured disk having an annular rib around said opening to engage the front of the envelop,

spring tongues carried by said disk being of I fixed my signature in the presence 01 two less height than that o'fsaid rib 1said tongues subscribing Witnesses. en a in in the s ace between t 1e heac and baze fifilge of tiFe stud and being secured JOHN APPLEGATE' 5 against outward movement by engagement Witnesses: with said flange 0n the head of the stud. ANNIE E. APPLEGATE,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto af- LILLIE M. Fox. 

